Simple Green Craft Cleanup Solutions

After getting down and dirty with your craft, there’s that dreaded task of cleanup. This simple task can get a little more dicey once the paint, marker, oil pastel or glue finds itself outside of the protected craft area. So to help, here’s a list of green cleaning products that you can use to clean up after craft time using supplies that you already have in your house.

If you’re crafting with the environment in mind, more than likely your materials are water based. These spills can be quickly and easily swiped up with water and a rag.

If wondering hands happen to get crayon or pencil marks on the wall, a little baking soda and water should do the trick.

For oil based spills, a little more scrubbing power is called for. First you want to wipe up the spill as soon as possible. The longer these set, the harder they are to get off and out. Use a combination of white vinegar, salt and baking soda to help break up the stick. A little lemon juice has the same power and the acid will help break down the grease and oil and leave a pleasant clean smell.

While not for spills, this simple recipe is great for jewelry makers to clean up their silver pieces. Line the bottom of a sauce pan and add enough water to cover your silver pieces. Sprinkle baking soda onto the foil and bring to a simmer. Put silver into the boiling water and watch the tarnish disappear!

Have any other green-cleaning tips? Leave them in the comments!

[Image by jilldoughtie under creative commons license]

Written by Kelly Rand

Kelly covers visual arts in and around Washington, DC for DCist and is editor of Crafting a Green World. Kelly has also been published by Bust Magazine and you can find her byline at Indie Fixx and Etsy’s Storque and has taught in Etsy’s virtual lab on the topic of green crafting.

Kelly helps organize Crafty Bastards: Arts and Crafts Fair, one of the largest indie craft fairs on the east coast and has served on the Craft Bastard’s jury since 2007. Kelly is also co-founder of Hello Craft a nonprofit trade association dedicated to the advancement of independent crafters and the handmade movement. Kelly resides in Washington, D.C. and believes that handmade will save the world.

Comments (Keep It Civil...)

Fab Fabrics: Vintage Feed and Seed Bags

Making a Paint Brush Caddy Out of an Old T-Shirt